Fuji music legend K1 De Ultimate, also known as Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, has formally thrown his hat into the ring for the prestigious Awujale of Ijebuland throne, but his ambition now faces significant hurdles from the Fusengbuwa ruling house and sharp criticisms over his royal credentials.
In a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, K1 declared himself a “bonafide son” of the house, expressing interest guided strictly by Ijebu customary law and Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws. The announcement, delivered via emissary Prince Adedoyin to family head Otunba Abdul Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi at his Idowa residence, has ignited widespread debate in traditional circles and on social media.
The Fusengbuwa ruling house has responded by mandating that K1 and all aspirants submit a detailed royal lineage data form tracing at least seven generations of ancestry to confirm eligibility.
Chairman Abdulateef Owoyemi emphasized the necessity of this step, stating, “The first step is to declare your lineage. Your parents, grandparents, and those before them must be traced. Only genuine members of Fusengbuwa will be allowed.”
Although the initial application window closed on December 5, 2025, Owoyemi granted K1 a special five-day extension until December 10, 2025, at 5 p.m., underscoring, “We welcome men of influence who will strengthen the stool. But they must first prove they truly belong.”
This verification process forms the foundation of the selection, with the ruling house required to present candidates to kingmakers by December 18, 2025, followed by a seven-day kingmaker deliberation and a 21-day government review including security clearance.
Complicating matters, Balogun Eko, Chief Balogun of the Epetedo Area in Lagos, has publicly questioned K1’s Ijebu roots and royal ties in a widely circulated video, asserting that the musician “has no connection with royalty in Ijebuland” and is not originally from Ijebu-Ode. He warned that Ijebu people would reject a king who is “not originally one of them,” adding that the throne must be shielded from “external influence.”
Balogun Eko further deemed K1 unsuitable due to his public persona and past controversies, declaring, “Ijebu people are peaceful. They don’t want a controversial person sitting on that stool.”
He also alleged K1’s commercial ties to politicians, including a rebuffed attempt to seek President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s backing—which reportedly fueled tensions like the ValueJet airport incident—and argued that entertainment commitments cannot coexist with royal duties. These claims have amplified scrutiny as the tight timeline looms toward a potential January 2026 decision.
